The café sat two streets from the Blue Pharmacy. Small, quiet—the kind adventurers chose when words needed to stay private.
Elara sat across from Raska. Two cups of tea between them. One untouched. One half-empty. Morning light cut through the window, turning dust motes gold.
"Fourteenth floor." Elara kept her voice low. "Phantom Vine. Grows near water sources. Naaza needs it for her new potion formula."
Raska leaned back, arms crossed. Her tail swayed slow and lazy. "Mid-territory. Hellhounds. Almiraj packs. Worms."
"I know."
"Can we two manage it?" No doubt in Raska's tone. Just practical. "Gathering materials while monsters spawn that fast..."
Elara's fingers traced her teacup rim. "That's why we need someone else. Someone who knows herbs."
Raska's ears flicked forward. "Fighting skills too. Can't babysit the whole time."
"Agreed."
Silence. Elara's gaze drifted to the window. Morning crowds flowing past. Adventurers toward Babel. Merchants opening shops.
"I have someone in mind," Elara said. "But I need to find him first."
Raska tilted her head. "Him?"
"Herb gatherer. I've seen him work. Careful. Knows materials. Moves smart."
"Can he fight?"
"Don't know yet."
Raska grinned. Sudden. Sharp. "I have an idea." She leaned forward. "You know that goblin guy?"
Elara's eyes widened. "Do you know him?"
"Yeah. Not know-know him." Raska paused, choosing words. "We met yesterday. Daedalus Street."
Elara waited.
"Those two jerks from Soma Familia?" Raska's tail lashed once. "Passparadedme last week. Infant dragon on eleven. Claimed they 'assisted' and wanted share."
"They tried again?"
"Yesterday. Handler backed them. About to get ugly—then he showed up."
Raska paused. Her grin softened. She lifted her tea, sipped, set it down. The clink punctuated the quiet.
"Two Level 1s. Handled both—redirecting, terrain, disabling cuts. Smart."
"But?"
"Almost got smashed." Raska shrugged. "Two at once is hard. One at a time? Might've won easy. Just lacks raw strength."
Elara processed that. "So, he can fight."
"More than that." Raska leaned back. Something shifted in her expression—impressed, confused. "You know yesterday's incident?"
Elara straightened. "Monsters escaped from Monsterphilia."
"Right." Raska's tail slowed. Less casual now. "Several monsters broke through. Before I even registered what was happening—he grabbed me. Ran."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "He recognized it. Before you?"
"Not just recognized." Raska leaned forward again. "He knew. Instantly."
Elara's fingers stilled on her cup. That wasn't normal.
"Yep." Raska's grin returned. Sharper. "Not Level 1 behavior. Most people freeze. Run the wrong way. He knew exactly where to go."
"Then he's the one." Certainty in Elara's voice now. "I had him in mind too."
Raska blinked. "What?"
"The herb gatherer. Same person." Elara's tone stayed even. "He came to sell herbs to Naaza yesterday."
"Can you tell which floor?" Raska leaned forward, curious. "That'll help find him."
"Few matches from fourth floor. I bought herbs from him there. Pantry. Few days ago."
"Perfect."
Elara nodded. The pieces locked together.
Herb knowledge. Combat capable. Survival instinct. Practical.
"He fits."
"Yeah." Raska's grin sharpened. "I'll track him down. You get info—Guild records, floor layouts. Whatever Eina has."
"When?"
"Soon as possible. Kid probably dives every morning. Same fourth floor routine." Raska stood, stretching overhead. "I'll catch him at Babel entrance. Tomorrow morning."
Elara stood too. "Don't scare him off."
"Me?" Raska's tail swayed. Amused. "I'm very friendly."
Elara's expression didn't change. Her eyes said otherwise.
"Just explain clearly."
"Yeah, yeah." Raska waved dismissively. "Professional. Probably."
She turned. Paused at the door.
"Hey. Think he'll say yes?"
Elara considered. "He's practical. Fair payment..."
"If he says no?"
"We find someone else." Even tone. "But I don't think he will."
Raska nodded once. "Alright. See you tomorrow. After I recruit our goblin boy."
She left. The door chimed soft behind her.
Elara stayed. Staring at her untouched tea.
Then she stood. Left coins on the table. Headed toward home.
Eina would have the floor data.
Tomorrow, they'd have their third member.